UNDERSTANDING IDIOMS

By
Safiullah
• IDIOM
• an expression whose
meaning is not predictable
from the individual words that
form it
 IDIOM

Literal Meaning Figurative Meaning

• not literal
• understanding words in their
usual or most basic meaning
• For example:
• It’s raining cats and dogs.
• It’s literal meaning suggests that
• Cats and dogs are falling from the sky
• We interpret it to mean that it is raining
hard.
• to take another try.
• Example:
• the girl failed her test, at least she get
another bit of the cherry next year!
 Chase your tail

• Meaning
Spending a lot of time and energy
doing a lot of things but actually achieving
too little.
• Example
He's been chasing his tail all week
collecting data but the report is still not ready
•
 Get the show on the road
• Meaning
Putting up a plan or idea into
action.
• Example
Now that we have compeleted all
the legal formalities, let's get the show on
the road.
 Dead wood
Meaning
People or things which are no
longer useful or necessary.
Example
The company bought in a lot of
new computers. They no longer want the
dead woods.